Francis Mahler facts for kids
Francis Mahler (1826–1863) was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was badly wounded on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg and sadly passed away in a hospital three days later.
Early Life and New Beginnings
Francis Mahler was born in Baden, Germany, on August 1, 1826. When he was a young man, he took part in a big protest movement in Germany between 1848 and 1849. During this time, he became friends with Carl Schurz, who would later become a famous Union General in America. Mahler faced serious trouble for his part in the protests, but he managed to escape.
In 1851, when he was 24 years old, Mahler came to the United States. He arrived in New York on a ship called the SS Charlemagne on August 20. Later, he married Jennie M., who was from Massachusetts.
Joining the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in August 1861, Francis Mahler wanted to help. He worked with a man named Henry Bohlen from Philadelphia to gather and organize a group of soldiers. This group became known as the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry regiment. Mahler was made a lieutenant colonel in this unit.
On July 20, 1862, Henry Bohlen was promoted to a higher rank, brigadier general. This meant Mahler then became a colonel and took command of the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry. Mahler was wounded while leading his regiment during the Second Battle of Bull Run. Later, at the Battle of Chancellorsville, his unit was one of the first to face a surprise attack from General "Stonewall" Jackson's forces, and they had to retreat quickly.
The Battle of Gettysburg
The 75th Pennsylvania Infantry fought very hard on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. They were in open fields north of the town. After moving through Gettysburg, the soldiers held their ground just east of the Carlisle Road. The fighting became very intense as other Union regiments around them began to fall back. This left Mahler's 75th Pennsylvania Infantry exposed to intense enemy fire, and many soldiers were lost.
During the battle, Mahler was shot in the leg, and his horse was also shot from under him. Even though he was hurt and couldn't move easily, he kept directing his troops. However, as his regiment began to fall back because the Confederates were surrounding them, Mahler received another gunshot wound that was fatal. Lieutenant T. Albert Steiger bravely risked his own life to help Mahler. General Carl Schurz was there, holding Mahler's hand and crying as Mahler was carried off the battlefield.
Sadly, Mahler's brother, Lieutenant Louis Mahler, who was also in the same regiment, was killed during this same fight. It is not clear if Francis Mahler knew about his brother's death before he passed away.
Francis Mahler died in a field hospital in Gettysburg on the morning of July 4, 1863. He was 37 years old. He is buried in Section B, Lot 263 of Mount Peace Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
